If you save one life, it is as though you save the world. —The Talmud Organ Donation If you save one life, it is as though you save the world. —The Talmud

Different methods of organ donation Some American states have tested a "mandated choice," whereby you must state your wish on applying for driving license. This has generated some doubt about whether people should be forced to make such a choice. Opting-out systems are rarer: your organs can be taken when you die unless you express a wish against this during your lifetime. In an opting-in system, accepted by most, you opt to donate your organs after death. Donor cards are also common, but unless they are made compulsory the medical team will probably still seek the consent of the family in some countries.

Opting-Out Systems THE SUPPORT Findings have suggested that a large majority of the population support the idea of presumed consent for organ donation

"Every year in the UK hundreds of people die because there are not enough organs available for transplantation.” "The BMA believes that moving to a system of presumed consent, where it is assumed that people are willing to donate their organs after death unless they opt out, combined with other reforms to the transplant infrastructure, would play an important part in improving the organ donation system so that more lives can be saved.”

Opting-Out Systems The OPPOSITION

Kevin Gunning Intensive Care Society “It is very important in this situation that we have their trust, that what we are doing is going to be in the best interests of that patient” "I think you would find that families would view this as taking the organs - and that would create a tension” Kevin Gunning Intensive Care Society

The potential impact of changing to an An independent report from the OPT-OUT SYSTEM http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_090312 An independent report from the Organ Donation Taskforce Published date: 17 November 2008

SPAIN An example of a country where introduction of an OPT-OUT SYSTEM has been successful (Spain exercise a ‘SOFT’ OPT-OUT scheme, where relatives’ views are sought)

"We need to be very clear with them about the importance of the decision they're going to make - another life may depend on them saying yes or saying no." (Professor Jose Ramon Nunez, transplant coordinator, San Carlos hospital, Madrid)

3% 97% Spain - 35 per 1,000,000 UK - 12.9 per 1,000,000

"During the early 1990s we had a 30% refusal rate, at the moment it's about 15%," "We know that in 2005, 45 British people died in Spain, 45 families were approached and said yes” "So while the family refusal rate in the UK is 40%, for British people in Spain it is zero.” (Dr Rafael Matesanz)